John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to provide a new cadet school at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56497/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that tenders for the provision of a new Cadet school in the Defence Forces Training Centre are currently being examined with a view to a contractor being awarded the contracts in the coming weeks. I am advised that subject to contract award, the project should commence construction in early 2022.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has had recent engagement with the representative organisations from the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56479/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since my appointment as Minister for Defence, in 2020, I have met with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO) on four occasions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020, 17 December 2020 and 13 October 2021. I have met with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) on five occasions: 17 July 2020, 20 October 2020, 17 December 2020, 24 May 2021 and most recently on 13 October 2021.

I was delighted to be given the opportunity to attend and speak at PDFORRA's Annual Delegate Conference (ADC) on 6 October 2021. I welcome the opportunity to attend and speak at RACO's Biennial Delegate Conference on 23 November 2021.

I look forward to further continued constructive engagement with the Defence Forces Representative Associations. I will continue to engage with the Representative Associations on matters that fall within the scope of their representation.